For me, it's not just a focus on Bruce or anything, it's more the loss of the
boardwalk vibe
that I grew up with.
On the one hand, as a musician, I grew up playing in AP clubs, and back then
the scene
was so much more exciting then it is today. Some might argue that Live Nation
has
brought that back to AP, but it's a pale comparison to what we used to have.
WNEW
concerts on the beach. Many more venues having great shows every night. The
combination of a vibrant boardwalk, the sounds and smells of rides and music
was magic.
I think we've totally lost that.
I will forever reference the vibe of a place like Austin Texas, which has a
dedicated music
district that's alive and well, completely up to date but also paying tribute
to Austin's
musical heritage.
Our oceanfront music scene is more about yuppies then anything now.
Not much to inspire the kids to play music, no desire at all to encourage music
that might
come out of the west side of town, no Arthur Pryor bandshell....just a strip
mall by the sea.
I honestly don't think we'll ever see anything more then marginal success as it
stands now
because what we have is just generic and lacking soul. We made a huge mistake
by
focusing on retail and real estate instead of pure entertainment.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Jennifer" <jennifern...@...> wrote:
>
> Jack,
> I guess I don't see the boardwalk through the same eyes. I never
> expect boardwalks to be grand. I have lots of very happy boardwalk
> memories and none were fancy. I grew up in Point Pleasant and worked
> on that boardwalk. We rolled down the garage doors over the stands to
> lock up at night. Most people think Point Pleasant is and has always
> been a very nice place.
> I have also had similar experiences regarding the Bruce - AP
> connection. I was in Ireland in the summer of 1980 when I told people
> where I was from no one had heard of Pt Pl, so I'd move up to AP next.
> I usually got a Bruce Springsteen response or even a do you know
> Bruce question. Ireland is a lot smaller than the US. They figured
> he lived in the next village LOL. If AP didn't work I had to say I
> was near NYC.
> I have seen many Bruce fans around the city in the last few years and
> they seem very pleased with AP. I've taken a lot of pictures for
> people standing under the Greetings from Asbury Park lights on CH. It
> wasn't always like this. I remember buying a book back in the late
> 80's for a Bruce loving boyfriend. The book described AP as a
> desolate place with an empty beach on the 4th of July. Not anymore.
> As for a Bruce display, why does it have to be done by the city? Any
> local business could either borrow or buy Bruce memorabilia and have a
> display. Just a thought.
> Hell if Bruce wants to lend All AHEAD some stuff I'd use it as a
> fundraiser for creating and maintaining homeownership in the city. I'm
> not sure how, but I'd figure out some way to make money for the cause.
> Bruce have your people call my people.
> Jennifer
>
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